The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-11-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Prom eur Regular Covyes60uasnt.)

Prom eur Regular CovrespONdent)
Washington, D. c.. Nov. %, 1887.
The Congress about TO convene re-
gard in many respects as the most i'm
portant that ever assembled under orr
form of Government. Never before has
a similar contingency existed where the
party in power propose to elect Speak,
er whose right to seat is very question
able, and will be most seriously contest
ed. There are numerous indications to
strengthen the belief that the admins
tration intends to hold tight rein, and
needs just such man as Mr.. Carlisle in
the chair to effectually cary out the
programme. The possibility that the
election OF the President may be thrown
into the House, renders the organization
OF that body of the utmost importance.
While the Republicans have majority
of the States in the House, the Democrats
have majority of the members. It
the Democrats a majority of the States,
and Mr.. Charlisle's committee on elec>
tions will be organized for that purpose.
Indiana, for instance, has seven Repub-
Leans and six Democrats, and the seat
of one OF the Republicans is contested.
Suppose Carlisle's partizan committee
seats the Democrat, Indiana then passes
into the Democratic column. So with
California, where there is another con-
test, and so with Michigan, where there
are strong intimations that case will
be made up. The Administration is
ready to resort to desperate means to
hold its power, and the struggle will be
fierce one.
Several weeks ago | alluded to Mr..
Mills, OF Texas, radical free trader, as
| the probable chairman of the committee
on ways and means. lie says the ques,
ton is settled, and that he has that
committee, which signifies red hot war
on the present tariff system. | want
to predict further that it will end in
| buster, and that after all there will be
no very material changes. The Demo-
cratic party is good on "dress parade
but sadly deficient in materializing leg
islation.
During the war you will remember
that large amount OF paper fractional
currency was issued, and the books at
the Treasury show that there is still out
standing over $l5.O00,000 of that cur
rency, though it was called in more than
twelve years ago. There is none in cir
culation now, and the question comes up
where is it? Has it been destroyed. OF
is it held in bits by the people as souven>
| irs? In this connection it is estimated
that 500, 100000 of currency is annually
destroyed by fire and ship wreck, and
possibly there is where this fractional
currency has gone.
Candidates for subordinate official
position in the OF ganization oil the next
House, are multiplying daily. The
Southern Ststes are turning them out by
clamor that that is the only section oil
the country that can furnish good Dem
ocratic material. They want everything
from Clerk to Postmaster. Northern
Democrats are disguised with this exhibl
ition of arrogance, and threaten lively
times in caucus if this packing process
is to continue. For the past three days
| there has been all manner OF rumors in
regard to Cabinet changes, but up to
this writing no decisive action. The
most plausible story is that Villas will re-
main where he is; Senator Colquitt. oil
! Georgia, take Lamar's place, and Cow
ernor Gordon succeed Colquitt in the
Senate. Colquitt is not talking man;
Gordon is, and the administration needs
more of that sort in the Senate to meet
the Republican giants. Ex>Secretary
Chandler, of the Navy, now Senator
from New Hampshire, has several big
guns loaded which he will let off in due
time about certain naval contracts under
this administration. Chandler never
talks unless he has something to say, and
Secretary Whitney may have to stand
up and explain some very dubious trans.
actions. 1t is understood here that
Chandler is well equipped for the fray.
In his annual report, the Inspector
General of steamboats, estimates that
during the past year 500000OO0 passen-
gers were carried on steam vessels, and
out Of that vast aggregate, only 220 lives
were lost, This would indicate steam
boats as the safest mode of travel.
Figures at the Post office Department
show that the amount OF money sent by
money orders and postal notes during
the past year reaches nearly 129,000O00.
1t seems fabulous, yet the records in
the Office OF the Commissioners of Rail.
roads actually show that over eight thou
sand millions of dollar are represented IN
the railroad system of this country.
Prof. s. P. Langley, Of Pennsylvania,
one OF the best known scientists of the
country, has been elected Secretary OF
tie Smithsonian Institute. This se-
lection has no political bearing, and is
most worthily bestowed.